As the food industry association—representing food retailers, wholesalers and the suppliers of the food and consumer products they sell — FMI supports a recent bipartisan proposal by Members of Congress that includes limited liability protections and aid to state and local governments. 

Leslie G. Sarasin, president and chief executive officer, offered the following statement on the announced agreement:

“FMI applauds the work of the bipartisan group of Senators, and the Problem Solvers Caucus in the House of Representatives, for reaching an agreement on COVID-19 legislation that recognizes the importance of liability relief along with aid to state and local governments. On behalf of FMI’s member companies, I cannot emphasize strongly enough how critical it is that this final emergency relief package of 2020 include limited, temporary liability protections. These liability protections acknowledge the extraordinary efforts made by the food industry and its employees to follow government guidance to keep associates and customers safe during this national emergency.

“Liability relief is essential. The food industry calls on Congress to pass liability protections in the next COVID-19 response bill.”